Training and enterprise councils, innovatory practice and special needs

Abstract

This dissertation considers the current training and employment opportunities for disabled people in Britain against a
background of institutionalised discrimination within society. It attempts to identify examples of good innovatory practice funded by Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) in England in order to establish the extent to which training and employment opportunities are responsive to the needs of disabled people.
It considers the current position of disabled people in society and work and the effects of reduced budgets and recent legislation on their training and employment opportunities. By surveying TEC programmes and analysing their qualities, common features of innovation are extracted. A detailed description of a particular project and the innovative methods used to combat traditional barriers and attitudes stemming from a medical perspective of disability forms a substantial part of the dissertation.
The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the project and the implications for society of ensuring equal opportunity for all within training and employment.